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Texas Hold'em Fund-Raisers are Illegal Gambling, Police Say

``The tournaments were on a hot streak, fueled by televised coverage of professional events on the Travel Channel and ESPN. State police and the Lackawanna County district attorney said Tuesday that -- for many poker tournaments in Northeastern Pennsylvania -- the luck has ran out.

`` "They are illegal," said Capt. Joseph T. Marut, commander of the state police in Dunmore. "They have a predetermined fee to enter the games. By definition, these tournaments are considered unlawful gambling in Pennsylvania."

``State law and court decisions have defined illegal gambling as having three parts: requiring a fee to play, playing and a reward to the winners.

`` By collecting part of the proceeds for charity, the games essentially require a fee, law enforcement officials said. They compared it to the house collecting a portion of the pool.

``Capt. Marut and District Attorney Andy Jarbola said they were issuing a warning and would enforce that ruling against charities and businesses that violate it in the future…"

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